>>reporter: steve says his nephew jim was likely among those killed in wed explosion of the west, texas fert laser plant. >> town lick this with something like that going on, they react and when the he can completion happened. >> like all of west firefighters 52-year-old stef was volunteer with full-time job in town. in case at westec welding that makes firefighters equipment. >> hearing the become hit and everything went black and i just kind of crouched did you know. >>reporter: beside his nephew he also lost his home. >> big old boom. just i mean it was horrible. >> gene lives close to the nursing home that was destroyed kitty corner from the plant. how is your house. >> it's all, everything is, the inside is gone. ceilings and insulation laying on the floor. >>reporter: do you feel lick though that you got out. >> yes. lucky for my wife she was sitting in the living room on the couch and fell on top, the ceiling fell on top of her. >>reporter: he had to pull the mangled garage door off the car to get he and his wife out of the house to safety. amid the destruction and uncertainty an